When arranging bathrooms, many homeowners are faced with a variety of troubles and tasks. One of the most acute problems is the choice between a classic font and a shower cabin. In order to make the right choice, you should carefully study the advantages and disadvantages of each of these options.
Pros and cons of bathtubs
The bathroom bowl is a classic solution: it is a practical and durable technology that is optimal for installation in absolutely every home for any family.
She has many advantages:
- use of durable materials;
- ease of installation - it is quite easy to fix a bathtub of any design even on your own;
- affordable cost - typical bowls are much cheaper than shower cabins;
- the bath helps to relax, rest and recover after a hard day.
Modern industry offers equipment from different materials - it can be acrylic, cast iron, as well as steel structures. Each of them has its pros and cons, which you should be aware of if you do not plan to install a shower.
Cast iron
Pros:
- if you carefully treat the enameled coating, such a product will last quite a long time, the warranty period is usually 20-25 years;
- the model is highly resistant, including to mechanical deformation;
- cast iron retains heat for a long time;
- lack of noise at contact of a bowl with a stream of water.
Minuses:
- with mechanical damage to the enamel coating, restoration by home means is impossible;
- over time, the surface becomes porous, and it is more and more difficult to clean it from all impurities each time;
- cast iron models have little choice with regard to shapes and sizes - in most cases these are the most familiar rectangles;
- cast-iron products are very heavy, however, if in the next couple of decades you do not plan to move to a new place of residence, this drawback will not be so significant.
Steel
Pros:
- high quality models can be used up to 15-20 years;
- are made in various configurations and sizes;
- steel plumbing weighs less than cast iron products;
- the option is optimal in conditions of limited budget.
Minuses:
- when recruiting water, they are quite noisy;
- during mechanical damage and frequent use by large users, deformation occurs;
- It has increased thermal conductivity, as a result, the bowl heats up for a long time, but the water in it cools very quickly.
Acrylic
Pros:
- the most silent in comparison with all other options;
- Acrylic has a fairly low thermal conductivity, so the surface warms up quickly, but it retains heat for a long time;
- any damage to the surface is easy to repair;
- available in various forms;
- often equipped with additional features;
- acrylic materials do not slip, so washing in such bathtubs is convenient and safe.
Minuses:
- the surface is easily scratched and over time loses its spectacular appearance;
- in comparison with cast iron counterparts, they are quite fragile;
- baths from the budget segment are often painted in those cases, for example, if you wash colored clothes in them;
- good quality models are quite expensive.
Regardless of which model you prefer, it should be borne in mind that any bathtub is characterized by exceptional multifunctionality. Of course, the main purpose of this equipment is hygiene procedures.
However, people tend to look for alternative ways to use familiar things, and the font was no exception.
So, in the bowl of the bath you can always wash things. Of course, today a washing machine is installed in almost all houses, but often there is a need to wash some dimensional product (outerwear, blanket, large soft toys) - they do not fit in the drum of the washing machine, and then the font comes to the rescue. In addition, it is easy to place in it a small basin with clothes that are intended for delicate washing, which most housewives simply do not risk entrusting to technology.
If necessary, you can always wash the dishes in the bowl. Of course, the sink is best suited for this purpose, but to clean a baking sheet or a 10-liter pan in it without filling the floor with water will be quite difficult.
The bowl is indispensable for dog owners. These pets should be bathed from time to time, and in slushy weather, after each walk, the animals have to wash their paws. If small dogs, such as Pekingese and Chihuahua, you can always try to bathe on weight, for owners of large dogs there is no other choice but to use the bath bowl.
If necessary, a bath can be stocked with water. It is no secret that Russia often shuts down, and it can last several days. That is why practical housewives make supplies - such water can be used for cleaning, washing dishes and flushing the toilet.
And, of course, you can always put a bouquet in the bath at night to preserve the freshness and charm of flowers for a long time.
However, the bath also has its drawbacks.
- It takes up a lot of space - this problem is especially relevant in typical apartments, which can not boast of spacious bathrooms.
- Using a bath significantly increases water consumption. Accordingly, utility bills are also increasing.
- The font is not suitable for people with disabilities and age users.
We pay special attention to the fact that for certain pathologies, washing in the bath falls into the list of prohibited procedures. First of all, this applies to people with high blood pressure, diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Immersion in heated water can cause them to seriously deteriorate, so staying in the bath is contraindicated for them.
The pros and cons of the shower
The creators of the shower cabins declare the undoubted advantages of the design, namely:
- space saving - showers are optimal for installation in small bathrooms;
- security - for the manufacture of cabins using materials with anti-slip treatment, thanks to this solution, the risk of injury is minimized;
- using a shower allows you to save on water consumption - as a rule, it is 2-3 times lower than when taking a bath;
- modern cabins can be equipped with additional functionality, for example, options for switching moisture modes, using inhalation, aromatherapy, creating a bath effect and even installing a radio are allowed;
- shower cabins easy and quick to install;
- designs are available in a wide variety of design options.
Thus, shower cabins in most situations are planned as the optimal solution for saving space and money - in theory, the way it is. And yet, before making the final choice, be sure to visit the outlet and test the booth offered to you: stand inside, raise your hands, bend over. Most likely, you will understand that the small design is not quite comfortable, and spacious - will take up so much space that ergonomics will be very doubtful.
In addition, keep in mind that the height of a typical shower cabin is usually 2 m. If you install it in standard apartments with low ceilings, then there is the effect of stealing space even if the cabin occupies a very modest area. Do not forget about such necessary cosmetic products as soap, scrubs, as well as masks, shampoos and all kinds of creams. It is important that in the process of swimming all these accessories are at hand. Above the font, you can always hang a shelf, and on the sides of the bath the necessary jars are placed without problems.
The options for installing shelves in the shower are largely limited - they will conceal too much already small space.
One can call into question the savings due to the reduction of water consumption. We will make small calculations: the volume of a standard-sized bath is approximately 200 liters, respectively, it is this volume of liquid that you will spend during bathing. If you carry out the procedure every night, such procedures for many will become too costly. Those users who prefer to rinse in the shower will spend 3-4 times less water, and this will be more economical for the budget. However, a small “but” also appears here.
We did not write “rinse” in vain - this verb suggests that the user will spend only a few minutes in the shower just to cleanse himself of the dirt and sweat accumulated during the day. If you do not like to rush, but prefer to stand for a long time under the stream of water, then its consumption will not be lower than necessary to fill the font. In this case, there is simply no question of any savings.
Well, of course, recall the versatility.
In addition, users highlight a few more difficulties using shower cabins:
- practical models made of solid materials are usually quite expensive;
- the functionality of the design directly depends on the force of the water pressure - if it is not high, then you can only take a shower, and all additional functions will become inaccessible;
- as they are used, a whitish coating begins to accumulate on the walls and the door of the cabin, so after each bath they will have to be washed thoroughly.
Which is better to choose?
Making a choice between a font and a shower stall is not so simple. Owners of premises that have already encountered a similar problem, as well as experts, recommend taking a number of points into account when making a decision.
If none of the households likes to bask in the bath for too long, then the shower cubicle is the best solution, since in this case the design will at least save the usable area of the room.
When purchasing a cabin, make a choice in favor of more expensive models, but without a set of additional functions (rain shower or Charcot's shower).
As practice shows, these modes are used quite rarely, but they have a significant impact on the price of equipment.
If the owners often need to wash and rinse voluminous products that do not fit in the washing machine, buy a bath.
If the apartment is inhabited by elderly people who, due to their physical condition, cannot take a bath and climb into a high bowl, then you can give preference to the soul.
For families with babies or large pets, it is advisable to install a font for hygiene.
For mega-busy people who cannot afford to wait long while a bathtub is typed, it is better to use an ordinary shower.
The shower is more hygienic - all the dirt immediately flows into the sewer. In the font, the user is forced to be in the same water with dirt and germs.
Those who like to relax after a hard day's work should make their choice in favor of the font - in the soul most of the muscles remain tense.
In the booth you will not be able to take a healing bath.
A shower is much more economical in a private house where there is no urban sewage system, as with frequent use of the bath, the drain pit quickly overflows.
Strong contaminations are most successfully cleaned by “soaking” in a hot bowl, but washing your hair is much more comfortable in a booth.
The cabin is more difficult to care for, because it will have to be washed after any use, otherwise it will quickly lose its aesthetic appearance.
Using a bath, you always risk spilling water on the floor, thereby flooding the neighbors.
Mounting the cab completely eliminates such unpleasant situations, as the structure is hermetically sealed.
Review Reviews
It is impossible to give the correct answer to the question of what to prefer - a bath or shower. The reviews of people about this are quite different. After all, the choice directly depends on a large number of factors.
It happens that the households do not agree, and in this case you can always find a compromise. For example, purchase a shower combined with a font. When choosing a model, it’s advised to pay attention not only to the cost, but also on affordable and functional plumbing capabilities - only in this case you can enjoy your purchase for a long time.
Users with children, as a rule, are unanimous - in such a family a bath is needed. It’s hard to imagine how you can quickly and safely bathe a newborn baby in the shower. In addition, by abandoning the bowl in favor of the booth, you thereby deprive the child of his first pool, while experts recommend swimming for children from an early age, as it helps strengthen the muscle corset.
In adulthood, kids can also encounter difficulties when using a shower - they will have to wash their backs, rinse their hair, clean their dirty knees, and do it with one hand, the watering can will be in the other.
Those who are just planning to have a baby should know that many preschoolers often get so dirty that only prolonged soaking in hot water will help to correct the situation.
According to reviews, people in adulthood prefer a shower stall. The fact is that over time, the mobility of ligaments and joints decreases, muscle strength weakens, and it becomes difficult to overcome obstacles in the form of a side of the bathroom bowl. Similar difficulties are encountered by users with pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, so in such families it is better to make a choice in favor of booths.
Many people think that shower cabin provides more opportunities for recovery - for this you just need to substitute the tired muscles under a strong stream, and after 5-10 minutes feel yourself awake, as if after a massage. However, lovers of relaxation in the bath note that this does not go to any comparison with those opportunities for restoring the strength that the font provides.
Only in the bowl you can calmly stretch your legs and relax, cover your eyes, enjoy the fragrant foam and the aroma of essential oils. When taking a bath, the integuments of the skin are steamed, which helps to maintain its health, increase turgor and elasticity. Such hygiene procedures invariably give a feeling of lightness and provide an excellent mood.
After weighing all the pros and cons of the font and the pallet with the fence, having read different reviews, you can always make the right choice. The set of pluses and minuses for both options is approximately the same, therefore, you will have to be guided not only by them, but also to understand what you yourself need.
If you like a measured lifestyle and believe that the best way to relieve stress is to bask in a warm bath, then a traditional font is suitable for you.
If you live in a fast pace, and water procedures are nothing more than a hygienic norm for you, then you better pay your attention to an ergonomic shower cabin.
About what to choose - a bath or shower, see the video.